Create a Detailed Lighthouse Landscape in Adobe Illustrator

In the following steps you can learn how to create a detailed lighthouse illustration in Adobe Illustrator. For starters you will learn how to create and save two simple symbols. Next, using a somewhat complex 3D revolve effect along with the saved symbols and a simple Warp effect you will learn how to create the main lighthouse shape. Moving on, taking full advantage of the Snap to Grid option and using a bunch of simple tools and effects along with some complex linear and radial gradients you will learn how to create the top side of the lighthouse. Using basic blending, masking and vector shape building techniques you will learn how to add some extra shading and highlights for the overall lighthouse. Finally, you will create the background. First, taking full advantage of the Appearance panel and using basic effects you will learn how to create the sky, the sea and the sun. Next, using built-in brushes, the Transform and the Gaussian Blur effects along with some simple blending techniques you will learn how add several subtle clouds. In the last steps you will learn how to create the land and how to add some simple bird silhouettes.

1. Create a New Document and Setup a Grid

Hit Control + N to create a New document. Enter 600 in the Width and Height boxes then click the Advanced button. Select RG, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid box is unchecked before you click OK.

Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For starters you'll need a grid every 5px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units > General. All these options will significantly increase your work speed.

2. Create Two Simple Symbols

Step 1

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and focus on your Toolbar. Remove the color from the stroke then select the fill and set its color at R=237 G=28 B=36. Move to your artboard, create a 280 x 30px rectangle and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Make sure that the resulting group of shapes is selected and turn it into a Compound Path (Control + 8 or Object > Compound Path > Make).

Step 2

Make sure that your red compound path is still selected, open the Symbols panel (Window > Symbols) and simply click the New Symbol button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Enter "stripes" in the name box and click OK. Once you can see this new symbol inside the Symbols panel you can remove it from your artboard.

Step 3

For this step you will need a grid every 1px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Set the fill color at black, make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is active and create a 14 x 24px shape. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 6 x 17px shape and place it as shown in the following image.

Step 4

Select the smaller, black rectangle and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting group of shapes along with the bigger, black rectangle and turn them into a Compound Path (Control + 8). Make sure that this new compound path is selected and turn it into a symbol. Name it "entranceWindows".

3. Create the Main Lighthouse Shape

Step 1

enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Set the fill color at white, pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 50 x 300px shape. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the top side of this new rectangle. Select the right anchor point and simply drag it 30px to the left. Reselect this white shape and go to Effect > Warp > Arc Lower. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 2

Focus on the Layers panel, double click on the existing shape and simply name it "body". Select this shape and go to Effect > 3D > Revolve. Enter the properties shown in the following image (make sure that you add a second light using the New Light button pointed by the little, blue arrow) then open the Map Art window using the Map Art button. Check the Shade Artwork box, go to Surface 4, select the "stripes" symbol from the Symbol drop down menu then rotate this symbol as shown in the following image. In the end things should look like in the first image.

4. Create the Windows and the Entrance

Step 1

Duplicate your "body" shape (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, focus on the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance) and open the existing 3D Revolve effect. Replace the exiting properties with the ones shown in the following image and open the Map Art window. Simply replace the "stripes" symbol with the "entranceWindows" symbol and place it as shown in the following image.

Step 2

Reselect that "body" copy and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting group and hit Shift + Control + G five times. Move to the Layers panel, open the remaining group and remove the clipping mask. Select the remaining compound path, click on a random button from the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder) then Ungroup (Shift + Control + G) the resulting group of shapes. In the end you should have five, black shapes.

Step 3

Select the top black shape and focus on the Appearance panel. First, add a 1pt stroke and set its color at R=15 G=15 B=15. Next, select the fill and replace the existing color with the linear gradient shown below. Finally, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Now, add the same Appearance attributes for the other three window shapes. You can easily do it using the target icons. Focus on the Layers panel, hold the Alt key from your keyboard, click on the target icon that stands for the top window and drag onto the target icon that stands for another window shape.

Step 4

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) then go to Edit > Preferences

> General and make sure that the Keyboard Increment is set at 1px. Select the entrance shape, replace the black with the linear gradient shown in the following image and then make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px down and to the right using the arrow keys from your keyboard. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black.

Step 5

Reselect the entrance shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px down and to the left. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black. Select both black shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape is selected, lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 6

Reselect the entrance shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 2px down and to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black. Reselect the entrance shape and make two new copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 2px down and to the left. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black. Select both black shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape is selected, lower its Opacity to 5% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 7

Select all the shapes that make up the windows and the entrance and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel, double click on this new group and simply name "windows&entrance".

5. Add Shading and Highlights for the Existing Shapes

Step 1

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 100 x 300px shape, fill it with white and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the top side of this white rectangle. Select the left anchor point and drag it 30px to the right then select the right anchor point and drag it 30px to the left. Make sure that your white shape is still selected and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel, name the resulting shape "white" and send it to back (Shift + Control + [ ).

Step 2

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Reselect "white" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 5px to the left using the left arrow from your keyboard. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Bring the resulting shape to front (Shift + Control + ] ) and fill it with the radial gradient shown in the following image.

The yellow zero from the Gradient image stands for Opacity percentage.

Step 3

Reselect "white" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 5px to the right using the right arrow from your keyboard. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Bring the resulting shape to front (Shift + Control + ] ) and fill it with the radial gradient shown in the following image.

Step 4

Open the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency). Select both shapes filled with that yellow radial gradient and Group them (Control + G). Select this new group, lower its Opacity to 25%, change the Blending Mode to Color Burn and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 5px radius and click OK. Reselect "white", make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F) and bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ). Select this new copy along with the group made in the beginning of the step, open the fly-out menu of the Transparency panel and go to Make Opacity Mask.

Step 5

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create two, 70 x 260px shape. Fill both shapes with white, place them as shown in the first image and then and turn them into a Compound Path (Control + 8). Reselect "white" and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy along with the white compound path and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a Compound Path (Control + 8), fill it with R=240 G=221 B=131, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 6

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 65 x 320px shape, fill it with black and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the top side of this new rectangle. Select both anchor points and hit Alt + Control + J (or go to Object > Path > Average). Check the Both box and click OK. This will turn your black rectangle into a sharp triangle. Select it and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 15px radius and click OK. Make sure that your blurred triangle is still selected, lower its Opacity to 70% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.

Step 7

Reselect "white", make a copy in front and bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ). Select this copy along with the blurred triangle, open the fly-out menu of the Transparency panel and go to Make Opacity Mask. In the end things should look like in the third image.

Step 8

Reselect "white" and bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ). Change its Blending Mode to Soft Light then replace the white with the linear gradient shown in the following image.

Remember the the yellow zeros from the Gradient image stand for Opacity percentage while the white numbers stand for Location percentage.

Step 9

Select all shapes and groups made so far and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "body".

6. Create the First Balcony

Step 1

For the following steps you will need a grid every 1px. So, go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Focus on the top side of your "body" group and pick the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a 44 x 3px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and place it as shown in the first image. Next, you need to save this somewhat complex gradient. Focus on the Gradient panel, click on that gradient thumbnail and simply drag it inside the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches). Double-click on this newly saved gradient and name it "firstGradientt".

Make sure that the rectangle made in the beginning of the step is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1.5px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px up. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black, lower its Opacity to 70% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Make sure that this thin, black shape stays selected, open the Graphic Styles panel (Window > Graphic Styles) and simply click on the New Graphic Style button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Double-click on this new graphic style and name it "black".

Step 2

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 64 x 8px shape, fill it with the "firstGradient" and place it as shown in the first image. Make sure that this shape stays selected and focus on the Gradient panel. Select the slider that has the Location set at 10% and drag it at 20% then select the slider set at 90% and drag it at 80%. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the bottom side of this new rectangle. Select the left anchor point and drag it 12px to the right then select the right anchor point and drag it 12px to the left. This will turn your rectangle into a trapezoid. Select it and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 3

Reselect that trapezoid and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F) then select the 44 x 3px rounded rectangle and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 1px Offset and click OK. Select the resulting shape along with the copy made in the beginning of the step and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape and simply add the "black" graphic style.

Step 4

Reselect that trapezoid and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move 1px down. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with white, lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 5

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 64 x 1px shape, place it as shown in the first image and fill it with the linear gradient shown below. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 64 x 3px shape, fill it with the "firstGradient" and place it as shown in the second image. Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 64 x 1px shape, fill it with white, place it as shown in the third image, lower its Opacity to 40% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Finally, create a 60 x 3px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the first image and place it as shown in the fourth image.

Step 6

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 64 x 1px shape and a 64 x 3px shape. Fill both shapes with a random color and place them as shown in the first image. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 2 x 9px shape, fill it with black, place it as shown in the second image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image) and click OK. Make sure that Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 1 x 9px shape, fill it with black, place it as shown in the third image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image) and click OK.

Step 7

Reselect the four shapes made in the previous step and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the "firstGradient" then move to the Layers panel and name it "balustrade".

Step 8

Make sure that your "balustrade" shape is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill using the Add New Fill button (pointed by the blue arrow). Select this new fill, drag it in the bottom of the Appearance panel, replace the existing linear gradient with the one shown in the first image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Get back to the Appearance panel, make sure that the bottom fill is still selected and duplicate it using the Duplicate Selected Item button (pointed by the little, green arrow in the following image). Select this new fill, lower its Opacity to 50%, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and replace the existing linear gradient with the one shown in the second image.

Step 9

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 64 x 1px shape, place it as shown in the first image and add the "black" graphic style. Select this thin rectangle along with the rest of the shapes that make up the balcony and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "firstBalcony".

7. Create the Base for the Second Balcony

Step 1

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create two, 1 x 19px shape. Fill both shapes with R=80 G=80 B=85 and place them as shown in the first image. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M) and create two, 2 x 19px shape. Fill both shapes with R=50 G=50 B=55 and place them as shown in the second image. Make another two, 2 x 19px shape, fill both shapes with R=40 G=40 B=45 and place them as shown in the third image. Finally, create a 3 x 19px shape, fill it with R=30 G=30 B=35 and place it as shown in the fourth image.

Step 2

Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active and create two, 6 x 19px shape. Fill both shapes with R=65 G=65 B=70 and place them as shown in the first image. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M) and create two, 7 x 19px shape. Fill both shapes with R=45 G=45 B=50 and place them as shown in the second image. Still using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 39 x 19px shape and place it as shown in the third image. Fill it with the linear gradient shown in the following image, lower its Opacity to 40% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 3

Select all these dark, ungrouped rectangles and Group them (Control + G). Send this new group to back (Shift + Control + [ ) and name it "secondBalconyBase".

8. Create the Second Balcony

Step 1

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 39 x 23px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and place it as shown in the following image.

Step 2

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 39 x 22px shape and place it as shown in the following image. Fill it with none, but add a 1pt, white stroke. Make sure that you align the stroke to inside and then go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 39 x 1px shape, fill it with white, place it as shown in the second image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image), click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Still using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 22px shape, fill it with white, place it as shown in the second image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image), click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 3

Reselect all those thin, white rectangles and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape, lower its Opacity to 25% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a new 39 x 24px shape and place it as shown in the third image. Fill it with the linear gradient shown below, lower its Opacity to 25% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 4

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 43 x 1px shape and a 43 x 3px shape. Fill both shapes with black and place them as shown in the first image. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 6px shape, fill it with black, place it as shown in the second image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Reselect all these black shapes made in this step and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Focus on the resulting shape and add the same Appearance attributes used for the "balustrade" shape from the "firstBalcony" group.

Step 5

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 43 x 1px shape, place it as shown in the first image and add the "black" graphic style. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 41 x 3px shape, fill it with the "firstGradient" and place it as shown in the second image. Make sure that Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 41 x 1px shape, place it as shown in the third image and add the "black" graphic style. Select all the shapes that make up this new part of the lighthouse and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "secondBalcony".

9. Create the Roof

Step 1

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 61 x 10px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the top side of this new rectangle. Select both anchor points and hit Alt + Control + J (or go to Object > Path > Average). Check the Both box and click OK. Select the resulting triangle and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 7px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Arc Upper. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "roof".

Step 2

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Select your "roof" shape and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset, click OK and duplicate the resulting shape (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and move it 1px up. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the following image and change its Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 3

Reselect your "roof" shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px up. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Add the "black" graphic style for the resulting shape.

Step 4

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 13px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the first image and place it as shown in image #1. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 11 x 2px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the second image, place it as shown in image #2 and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Arc Lower. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 9px circle, fill it with the radial gradient shown below and place it as shown in the third image.

Step 5

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 19px shape, fill it with R=45 G=45 B=50, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Warp > Arc Lower. Enter the properties shown in the first image and click OK. Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L), create 3px circle, fill it with the same color and place it as shown in the second image.

Step 6

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 10 x 5px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Warp > Flag. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Select this red flag along with the rest of the shapes that make up the roof and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "roof".

10. Create the Base of the Lighthouse

Step 1

Return to "gridline every 5px". So, go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 110 x 15px shape, fill it with the linear gradient gradient shown below, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 5px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 110 x 5px shape, fill it with a random color and place it as shown in the second image. Select both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. In the end things should look like in the third image.

Step 2

Select all the shapes and groups made so far and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "lighthouse".

11. Create the Sky, the Sea and the Sun

Step 1

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 610 x 465px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and place it as shown in the following image. Move to the Layers panel and name this new rectangle "sky".

Step 2

Reselect "sky", add a second fill and use the radial gradient shown in the following image.

Step 3

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 610 x 145px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and place it as shown in the following image. Move to the Layers panel and name this new rectangle "sea".

Step 4

Reselect "sea", add a second fill and use the radial gradient shown in the following image.

Step 5

Reselect "sea", add a third fill and use the radial gradient shown in the following image.

Step 6

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create an 80px circle, fill it with R=240 G=221 B=131 and place it as shown in the following image. Make sure that this yellow circle stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. First, select the fill and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 10px radius and click OK. Return to the Appearance panel and add three white strokes using the Add New Stroke button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Select the bottom stroke, make it 5pt wide and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter an 8px radius and click OK. Get back to the Appearance panel, select the middle stroke, make it 5pt wide, align it to inside, lower its Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Finally, select the top stroke, make it 2pt wide, align it to inside, lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

12. Add Clouds to Your Scene

Step 1

Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) then open the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes). Pick the Paintbrush Tool (B), select the 15pt Round brush, set the stroke color at black and draw some random paths as shown in the following image. Once you're done, select all these paths and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke.

Step 2

Select the top, right, black path and hit the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with white and focus on the Appearance panel. Select the existing fill, lower its Opacity to 15% and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 15px radius and click OK. Return to the Appearance panel and add a second fill for this shape. Make it white, lower its Opacity to 5% and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 15px radius and click OK. Make sure that this blurred shape is still selected, focus on the Graphic Styles panel and hit the New Graphic Style panel. Name this new graphic style "white".

Step 3

Select the left black path and hit the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Add the "white" graphic style for the resulting shape and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Transform effect and edit it as shown in the following image.

Step 4

Select the left black path and hit the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Add the "white" graphic style for the resulting shape and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Transform effect and edit it as shown in the following image.

Step 5

Select the remaining black path and hit the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Add the "white" graphic style for the resulting shape and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Transform effect and edit it as shown in the following image.

Step 6

Select all four blurred white shapes and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "clouds".

13. Add Shading for the Sea

Step 1

Set the stroke color at white and pick the Paintbrush Tool (B). Select the 3pt Round brush and draw some random paths over the "sea" shape as shown in the first image. Select all these paths and Group them (Control + G). Make sure that this new group is selected, lower its Opacity to 20%, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 5px radius and click OK.

Step 2

Select your "lighthouse" group and bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ).

14. Add the Ground

Step 1

Enable the Grid (View > Hide Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 660 x 110px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below, place it as shown in the following image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Move to the Layers panel and name this new shape "ground".

Step 2

Duplicate your "ground" shape, select the copy and drag it a few pixels down and to the right as shown in the following image. Make sure that this copy stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Roughen effect and edit it as shown below.

Step 3

Duplicate your "ground" shape, select the copy, bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ) then drag it a few pixels down and to the left as shown in the following image. Make sure that this copy stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Roughen effect and edit it as shown below.

Step 4

Duplicate your "ground" shape, select the copy, bring it to front (Shift + Control + ]) then drag it a few pixels down and to the right as shown in the following image. Make sure that this copy stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Open the existing Roughen effect and edit it as shown below.

15. Add Several Birds

Step 1

Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For these final steps you will need a simple bird silhouette. You can find it in this Vectortuts+ article 30 Different Flying Birds Vector Freebie. Download the file, open it with Illustrator, select the silhouette pointed by the arrow and hit Control + C. Return to your lighthouse illustration and simply hit Control + F (or Control + V).

Step 2

Multiply your bird silhouette (Control + C > Control + F) then resize, rotate and place the shapes as shown in the following image.

Step 3

Finally, you can replace the flat color used for the bird silhouettes with the radial gradient shown in the following image.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Here is how it should look. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.